Offsides with Fletcher Mackel: Pau Gasol to the Pelicans?

With the NBA trade deadline less than two weeks away, rumors will continue to swirl as teams decide if they're buyers or sellers.

I think Pelicans general manager Dell Demps is going to be a big time player – at least behind the scenes.

I hope "Dealer Dell" makes a move, and I think he'll be very involved in talks with the Los Angeles Lakers for Pau Gasol.

That's right, Pau to the Pelicans is a real possibility in my opinion.

Most people reading this column right now may dismiss that possibility, and that would be a mistake.

The Pelicans have won six of eight games entering Sunday and are 22-27 overall. While the Pels are still a tremendous long shot to make the playoffs (they'd probably have to finish the season 22-11 to even have a chance) they are in win-now mode.

Last summer Pelicans owner Tom Benson empowered Demps to jump-start the rebuilding process. Demps acquired Jrue Holiday and Tyreke Evans, and in doing so gave up the team’s 2014 1st round draft pick (unless if falls in the top five, which it likely won't) and most of the team's financial flexibility moving forward.

While Anthony Davis' third season (2014-2015) was always the realistic target for a playoff berth, the team wants to compete now, and acquiring a player like Gasol can help New Orleans make a serious second half run.

A late season playoff push may fall short, but acquiring a player like Pau would invigorate fans, prove there is truly a commitment to winning now in New Orleans and help fill the newly-named Smoothie King Center for what would be meaningful games in March and April.

Adding a veteran leader like Pau may be just what the youngest team in the NBA needs to take a big step forward.

I think Pau would also be receptive to this move. I recall interviewing Gasol numerous times during the 2011 playoffs when New Orleans squared off against the Los Angeles Lakers. Since former Lakers coach Phil Jackson was always horribly negative when talking about New Orleans I went fishing for players hoping someone would speak well of our city. Pau was my guy. He talked about the history, the food, the culture, the amazing spirit of the people who had rebuilt after Hurricane Katrina. To say he was all class all the time was an understatement. Pau really seemed to like New Orleans.

On the court, Pau to the Pelicans would give the Spanish big man the move he seemingly needs. Gasol's name has been mentioned heavily in trade talks since the NBA nixed the original Chris Paul trade that would have sent CP3 to the Lakers and Gasol to Houston.

Gasol would get to play next to young star Anthony Davis – who's exploding onto the NBA scene like a supernova – and he'd have the opportunity to lead a young roster filled with quality players who have truly bought into head coach Monty Williams.

No matter the outcome at the end of the season – playoffs or no playoffs – both parties, the Pelicans and Pau, come out as winners.

Gasol becomes an unrestricted free agent, and the Pelicans gain a wealth of financial flexibility. If Gasol seems like a great fit next to Davis, and if he believes the Pelicans are on the cusp of becoming the Thunder or the Blazers, he can re-sign with New Orleans. If Gasol passes on re-signing with the Pelicans, Demps has a ton of cash to spend on veteran role players like Danny Granger and Marcin Gortat.

Now to the nitty gritty. How do the Pelicans acquire Pau Gasol?

First, the Lakers have to decide to move a player who's been such a cornerstone of their franchise.

Second, the Lakers have to look at the deal I'm about to present as step one of a two-part process.

To acquire Gasol, the Pelicans would have to ship Eric Gordon to Los Angeles with either Al-Farouq Aminu or young players Austin Rivers and Jeff Withey. Given that Aminu's overall worth as a player is low, I'm sure the Lakers would ask for Rivers and Withey since they both seem to have some upside. The Pelicans may be even be asked to throw in the rights to D-league star Pierre Jackson.

For the Pelicans to give up such a haul is daunting, especially since Rivers seems to be developing into a quality NBA player.

But to acquire Gasol, giving up two young role players, an unproven D-league player and Gordon has to be considered.

Now, do the Lakers have any interest in Gordon?

Gordon is having his best season in years since he's finally healthy, but the former Clipper has never seemed like a solid fit in New Orleans. From the style of ball that Monty Williams wants to play, to the injuries, to the unforgettable comments about his "heart being in Phoenix," Gordon is a guy that would probably be better served moving on.

While the 2014 NBA free agent class will be star-studded with players like LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, the odds of those guys joining Kobe in LA seems slim. Odds are LBJ re-ups with the Heat and Melo stays in NYC.

So which players do the Lakers spend their cash on?

Gordon Hayward and Greg Monroe are restricted free agents and will never get away from the teams controlling their rights.

As crazy as it seems, Gordon, who does his best work getting to the rim, may work well on the floor with Kobe Bryant.

That being said, Gordon and the haul of young players the Lakers would receive from the Pelicans in this proposed deal could also be ammunition for the Lakers to make a run at the player they truly want.

With Kevin Love expected to bolt Minnesota when he hits unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2015, the Timberwolves will have a tough decision to make this summer or during the regular season next year: trade Love or watch him walk way for nothing.

If the Lakers want to trade for Love they'll need ammo, and the Pelicans package gives them enough to at least start a conversation.

So again, while Pau to the Pelicans is a long shot, a blockbuster deal like this could help two organizations move forward.

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